Sinbad - The New Journeys.

Episode #4 - Vanished

Disclaimers: Sinbad and his crew, as well as the Nomad, belong to Ed Naha and Atlantis productions. I just borrowed them to let the Nomad sail again... :)

Author's note: Here we go again... Episode #4 of Sinbad - The new journeys: Vanished! As always, to have a better comprehension of this fanfiction you should dig into the other three episodes first... but don't worry, you can just enjoy this one, too. :)
The idea of this episode shaped up in months of ramblings on my Moleskine, and in the end won the #4 over the plot that will be episode #5. But one step at the time... so, ENJOY!

Hold on a sec. One more thing, about the "Vanished" preview you had on the ending of the Curse: guys, I do remember Maeve and Tetsu already know each other. Trust me a little! LOL :P

The Nomad was utterly quiet, basking in a wonderful sunrise after a night of smooth sailing. The sailors on the night shift were finishing their chores under Doubar's orders, muttering to each other, waiting to be able to reach their hammocks. In the galley, by the way, two people were already up, ready to face the new day with a ton of books splayed on the table in front of them, chatting quietly.

"Are you up for something new today, Bryn?" Maeve asked abruptly, making the brunette shift her gaze from Dermott to her mentor, her eyes wide in surprise. In the last days Maeve wasn't exactly in training mood, well, she wasn't even in the mood for anything. She spent her shifts performing flawlessly her duties, avoiding any chance to be called or even noticed by anyone of her friends, she started to eat later than anyone else, preferring to read a book on deck or meditate then sharing some time with the crew. After Dermott secret coming out, Maeve looked like she was still trying to come to terms with the situation: she may have talked to Sinbad, but she couldn't resolve yet to face Doubar and the others, locking herself away in her panic and gloom. She developed the habitue to lock her mind, too, so Bryn and Dermott could do little more than study her, and giving her quiet advices when the redhead let them near enough.

"Define this something new, Maeve." Bryn asked politely, clearing her voice and leaning on the table.

"We've to clear our minds. So... let's dig into dematerializing things. Best exercise ever, when you need to clear a mind." Maeve announced, slamming a worn-out looking book right in front of Bryn with a huge smile. The brunette's eyes went wide, while Dermott screeched in apparent distress, flapping his wings noisily. On the other side, Maeve looked completely oblivious to the whole situation.

"Mind you, by the way. The book is Cairpra's, so don't leave it around Firouz." the Celtic sorceress whispered, nodding happily.

"Well." Bryn started, trying to choose carefully her words. "I'm not sure I'm ready for it." she simply pointed out, staring nervously to the redhead who just shrugged out her objection.

"It's going to be a blast. Believe me." she smiled, patting the cover of the book. "First you read, then we practice."

Bryn sighed, nodding slightly while staring down to the book.

"It's going to be a blast, of course. Straight on the Nomad."

Bryn chuckled at Dermott mental sigh, glancing for a moment to the chirping hawk and shaking slightly her head.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"You're welcome. You never saw Maeve in her first attempts on dematerializing things. I did."

Maeve tried to ignore the two while they stared at each other, fighting the urge to lower the wards around her mind to join the quarrel she knew they were having, fidgeting nervously with the silver band on her middle finger. She brought up her gaze only when she felt familiar steps from the direction of the Captain's cabin, and she smiled when she met Sinbad gaze.

"You two are up early." he muttered, passing a hand on his face while he approached the table, collapsing on the chair next to Maeve and Dermott.
"Morning to you too, Sailor..." Maeve said quirking an eyebrow, amusement on her face while she straightened up the red headband on the Captain's forehead.

"Bad dreams?" Bryn asked quietly, nudging a bowl in his direction. "Breakfast."

"I couldn't sleep. I've this bad feeling..." Sinbad frowned, taking the bowl and inspecting it carefully.

"Maeve's turn." Bryn pointed out, staring at the ceiling and avoiding carefully to look at anyone.
"Oh. I see." Sinbad muttered, taking a deep breath.

"Wipe that face, Captain, if you don't want to be fried." the Celtic sorceress warned him, glaring at his shameless smile. "It's good. Bryn ate it and she's still alive. Then, eat!" she defended herself. Sinbad and Bryn glanced at each other, then the Captain took a careful bite of food. Until she was fuming and looking herself like that morning, he could risk to be poisoned. Maeve was still looking expectantly at him when Firouz descended the steps from deck, looking tired and worn out... but it was matter of moments, before she bolted up.

"Night shift over, than it's morning shift. I've work to do. Morning Firouz, Rongar..." she babbled quickly, brushing against the inventor shoulder while Dermott quickly caught up with her, making Firouz crouch abruptly to make him room.
"Morning to you too, Maeve." Firouz sighed watching her retreat, while Sinbad and Bryn exchanged a glance. "Well... at least she's saying hi now." the man offered, shrugging, before joining his two friend at the table while Rongar agreed with him.

"Is she still...?" Sinbad asked to Bryn, who nodded sadly.

"Still locking me and Dermott out of her mind, yes."

"She's overreacting, as always." Sinbad mumbled, taking another careful bite of his breakfast. "But she's barely talking to me, too. I guess she needs some more time to deal with the situation."

"Guess so." Firouz nodded, taking a seat beside Bryn while checking on the various books spread in front of her. "Back on training?"

"Yes. Maeve wants us to try on dematerializing things... quoting her, it's going to be a blast!" Bryn repeated, trying to sound confident, piling up her books before standing up. "Guess I'll better go studying, see you later guys." she smiled, marching away under Firouz and Sinbad's stare. As soon as she was out of sight, Sinbad turned wide-eyed to look at the inventor.

"Dematerializing things?" Sinbad repeated worriedly, before standing up quickly and heading deck.

"If we survive this one, I don't want to hear any complaint again about my inventions. Ever." Firouz muttered back, Rongar nodding forcefully.

SINBAD – THE NEW JOURNEYS
Created by Ed Naha
Continued by Whirlingcharm Productions

"Vanished"